To kick things off, Bedrock Bar & Grill has a three-course brunch priced at $48 for Singapore’s 48th birthday, including a main, side, and dessert, plus coffee or tea. If you have four guests, also get a bottle of sparkling wine from August 8-10.

If you absolutely can’t miss the spectacle, head to Spanish dining joint Catalunya’s national birthday bash on August 9, 5pm, for an unobstructed view of all the action unfolding at the parade, and hang around for the after-party. The $28 entry fee includes one drink.

Sweating it out at the National Day parade is not our jam either. We suggest marking Singapore’s 48th with a toast instead. How about the rum-based Coq Burn ($18) at Coq & Balls (available through August 31)? With bold flavors like cumin, lemongrass and chilli padi, it’ll set off fireworks for sure.

For some Japanese food, there’s a five-course set dinner on August 9 at Kinki Restaurant + Bar priced at $128, including a complimentary glass of red or white wine. Also available is the Entry & Table for 8 at their rooftop bar (offering a clear view of the National Day’s fireworks), which goes for $600, including two bottles of Moet & Chandon Brut Champagne, one bottle of Belvedere Vodka with three mixers, and eight shooters.

Mount Faber’s National Day International Buffet & BBQ ($48) is on August 7-10, 6:30pm, including a salad bar, seafood, soup, cold cuts, foie gras, barbecue meats and plenty of durian desserts.

At Pan Pacific Singapore, mark National Day with local fare at Edge (from $78) or opt for Japanese dining at Keyaki (from $120) or Cantonese cuisine at award-winning Hai Tien Lo (from $68) from August 5-11. Plus, enjoy the Singapore Sling at $18 per glass for the month of August.

And if you haven’t been already, August 9 is the last day of Immigrants’ localized pairing menu. Think buah keluak fried rice with aged Japanese whiskey. Yum.

KU DÉ TA has a National Day set menu (August 9) available at $228 ($128 supplement for wine pairing). There’s also a National Day party at their SkyBar for $48 (including a glass of Champagne), plus, a special cocktail for the occasion, Scarlet 48 (Champagne, vodka, cranberry and strawberry juice).

For a stunning view of the August 9 fireworks at Marina Bay, check out the new items like Hokkaido scallop, bone marrow and truffle gnocchi—part of a mix-and-match menu, which can be ordered as a four- ($95), five- ($120) or six- ($140) course meal—at Stellar at 1-Altitude. 

At The Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens and The Halia at Raffles Hotel, there’ll be a Uniquely Singapore Set including a serving of Halia chilli crab spaghettini and a Singapore Sling by Hendrick's, available from August 1-18 at $48. Also, they’ll offer two Singapore Slings at a discounted price of $48 for the same period.  

Set right by the bay, The Pelican Seafood Bar & Grill’s four-course dinner ($120)—with a glass of Chandon Brut NV—sounds like a good way to dine while watching the fireworks. (Folks who make reservations for indoor dining get a discount of $48 per table.)

Celebrate Singapore’s 48th anniversary from August 8-10, 7pm, at the Satay Club Dinner at The Knolls. There’ll be a wide variety of dipping sauces and grills. Also expect a Mediterranean Sunday Brunch with luxe local recipes such as chicken rice with truffles as well as live crabs and fresh oysters, on August 11, 12:30pm, available at $188 with free-flow wines, Champagne and fresh juices.

PLUS: Singapore hotel staycation deals for National Day weekend

Pick Me Up facial with LED

This one’s perfect if you feel like you’re not going to survive the rest of the day, or if you have a dinner date. There isn’t any extraction involved—the usual double cleanse is followed by exfoliation using natural enzymes. After, the therapist will put you under an LED light that best matches your skin’s needs (red for collagen stimulation and repair, for example), before applying a gel mask, toner and moisture protector to keep your complexion safe from the weather’s harmful effects. You also get a quick head and shoulder massage while your mask is setting.

$60 for 30 minutes at Porcelain, The Face Spa.

Jet Cell Restore

If you work within the Central Business District, Jet Concepts is probably one of the easiest (and cosiest too, we might add) spots to escape to for a quick fix. As with every other treatment here, the Jet Cell Restore starts off with a couple of minutes under the Jet-M machine, which uses saline and oxygen to cleanse, detox and buff skin. The same machine then infuses a customised combination of ingredients like vitamin A and E serums for exfoliating and revitalising, or vitamin B5 for acne-prone skin. Like Porcelain’s Pick Me Up facial, this also uses LED light to target different cellular functions.

$98-180 for 45 minutes at Jet Concepts.

Sakura treatment

Need to pretty up your nails? With Vedure’s Sakura treatment, you get a luxurious soak for your hands and tootsies on top of a manicure and pedicure. It can be tweaked to occupy only your lunch hour, but promises some serious pampering for your skin using a Japanese rice sake bath that makes it smell delicious. Vedure is also known for being one of the few providers of Minx nails, boasting radically textured nail patterns worn by the likes of Lady Gaga and Rihanna.

$69 for a manicure and $80 for a pedicure at Vedure Nailspa.

St. Gregory Executive Facial

Another one that's suited as a midday pick-me-up or post-event prep is this practically instant radiance booster. It's only available at the new PARKROYAL on Pickering, which also provides the Anti-Stress Massage, a neck, shoulder and back rub that's bound to knock a significant amount of tension out of you.

Both treatments are $80 for 30 mins at St. Gregory (PARKROYAL on Pickering).

Eyes Wide Open Treat

House at Dempsey is probably one of the best integrated lifestyle spots in the city, which makes it the perfect place to go for a lunchtime pick-me-up. You can get a quick meal at Barracks, then head to Spa Esprit for this wet microdermabrasion treatment that infuses the skin around your eyes with hyaluronic acid, chamomile and aloe vera. They make for smooth skin and reduced dark eye circles, so you can come back to the office looking bright-eyed. 

$55-100 for 30 minutes at Spa Esprit (Beauty Emporium).

1.) Nars: Stick Concealer

Price: B950
They said: Can be used both under the eyes and on dark spots, crease-proof, easily blendable, long-lasting and enriched with moisturizing vitamin E.
We say: Though creamy in texture, it’s not too thick like other stick products making it easy to apply. The medium coverage suits a natural look with a flawless finish. Not only does it conceal but it also brightens dark circles under the eyes. If higher coverage is needed, you can always apply more without the results becoming too cakey. Tip: Apply using the stick then dab rather than rub.
Verdict: The packaging makes it easy for touch-ups during the day. Suited for both daily use and special occasions that call for higher-than-usual coverage.    

2.) Revlon ColorStay

Price: B550
They Said: Balances imperfections for a continuously flawless look for up to 24 hours.
We say: Light creamy texture, easy to blend and offers medium coverage. But we can’t really tell the difference between it and the Revlon ColorStay Foundation—it just seems to come in a more ready-to-use pack that allows you greater flexibility to play around with shades.      
Verdict: If you’re already using the Revlon Color Stay Foundation, you can get the same results by applying just a bit more to those imperfect spots. If not, this still makes for a sound investment.

3.) Bobbi Brown: Creamy Concealer Kit 

Price: B1,450
They Said: Covers and brightens dark circles, maintains skin moisture levels giving a smooth, virtually wrinkle-free look.    
We say: The texture is somewhere between a rich cream and a gel with a high coverage level, but it is easily applied. Full coverage can be achieved by using eye corrector first then applying the concealer in a brighter shade before finishing with the pressed powder that comes in the same kit. For a fresh daily look, though, only the concealer and powder are needed.
Verdict: Instant fresh eyes. The portable kit is very useful, as every concealer needs a powder to complete the look. Still, at B2,500 (for concealer kit and corrector), you might be better off just trying to get a good night’s sleep.

4.) Laura Mercier: Secret Concealer 

Price: B950
They Said: Moisture-rich and designed specifically to cover the discoloration under the eyes without it settling into fine lines and wrinkles.
We say: Rich in texture but not too hard to apply. You might need a concealer or foundation brush to help, but blending with your finger is fine and still gives a smooth result. Like they say, the rich texture doesn’t settle into fine lines, which makes it suited to longer wear.
Verdict: We like the way it’s easy to apply, the high coverage level and the smooth results, it just doesn’t really help you pull off the natural look.    

5.) MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer

Price: B790
They said: Provides smooth, long-wearing, invisible coverage, is water-resistant, fragrance-free and non-acnegenic. Enriched with vitamin A and E and SPF 35 protection.
We say: The product is creamy enough to be applied by either brush and finger, but the latter is always best. The light texture suits the natural look but impressively gives medium to high coverage and can easily be adjusted to your desired level.
Verdict: Total life-saver! Even if you’ve partied all night, this concealer gives you fresh eyes with a natural look. 

6.) The Balm: Time Balm Concealer 

Price: B850
They Said: Full coverage for dark circles and spots, enriched with vitamins including vitamin A, C and E, plus soybean oil, panthenol, linoleic acid and phospholipids for anti-wrinkle purposes.    
We say: The product is quite rich and hard to apply by using only your finger—a concealer or foundation brush is a necessity. High coverage but not luminizing and the thick texture gives off a fixed make-up appearance rather than a natural daily look.
Verdict: Covered but cracked—with its thick texture, it doesn’t suit dehydrated skin and it can reveal wrinkle lines.

MODEL: Dunlop Direzza DZ101

In wet conditions:
Noise:
Comfort:
Treadwear:
Price: From B3,550 for 15” wheels

MODEL: Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (RUNNER UP!)

In wet conditions:
Noise:
Comfort:
Treadwear:
Price: From B3,300 for 15” wheels

MODEL: Nito NT555

In wet conditions:
Noise:
Comfort:
Treadwear:
Price: From B3,000 for 15” wheels

MODEL: Hankook Ventus V12 Evo

In wet conditions:
Noise:
Comfort:
Treadwear:
Price: From B2,590 for 15” wheels

MODEL: Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE002 (BK PICK!)

In wet conditions:
Noise:
Comfort:
Treadwear:
Price: From B3,800 for 15” wheels

Essentials

Bridgestone & Michelin. 146/5-7 Cockpit K. Charoen Tire,
Sukhumvit Soi 71, 02-391-1001. BTS Phrakanong.
Dunlop & Hankook. 433/29 B-Quik, Chan Rd., 02-675-2614-5.
Nitto. Hai Charoen Tire, 138 Suthisanwinichai Rd., 02-277-8211.
 

Bread and Western: Tinee Eatery

The course: After many years spent running a café in Melbourne, Chef Sutinee Suntivatana has returned home to open the Aussie-inspired venue Tinee Eatery. Bare brick walls and some chalk drawings lend the place a loft-like vibe, while upstairs there’s space for cooking workshops. The courses cover basic tips and techniques Chef Tinee has learnt from her time at various hotels. What we’re really looking forward to are the bread-making courses coming up soon. Lessons are taught in Thai and English.
The price: B5,900 for 3-course menu lesson featuring dishes like Moroccan shrimp skewers and pork tornado with potato wedges and red wine glaze.
1213/45 Town in Town, Sriwara Rd., Ladprao Soi 94, 083-015-4555

Italian: Dusit Thani College

The course: The school was originally reserved for professional courses, but lately they’ve staged many interesting short programs in collaboration with international institutions. Currently they’re running seven courses with Italian Publishing Company Gambero Rosso specializing in Italian cuisine. Taught by an Italian chef in English with Thai translation.
The price: B18,000 for two days. For example, Jul 20-21 is all about pasta while Aug 17-18 is Roman cuisine.
1 Soi Kaengthong (next to Seacon Square), 02-361-7811. www.dtc.ac.th

Chinese: Je Ngor

The course: Thai-Chinese food ain’t the cheapest, so to save some of your dining-out budget, head to this well-regarded seafood establishment to try their short courses that allow you to pick any dish from its menu. Taught in Thai.
The price: Depends on your selection and the ingredients used, but anywhere from B3,000-B12,000.
527 Mahaset Rd., 02-268-0801-2, 02-234-8275. jengor-culinary.com

Asian: V School

The course: A bit far out of town but this school is a fun spot for those of you who want to roll some fusion sushi or make some of the dishes you’ve seen in your fave Korean TV series. The Peranakan owner, Walter Lee, has been operating the place for more than 20 years and there are courses for kids, too. Taught in Thai (English translator is available upon request).
The price: Japanese desserts course is B4,500, ramen is B16,000 and Korean is B13,000.
238 Ladprao Soi 1, 02-939-2172. www.thevschool.com

Indian: Hazara

The course: This beautiful restaurant is not just famous for their yummy Indian food and exquisite antiques. They also offer short (two-hour) Indian cooking courses that teach you how to whip up favorite dishes like Punjabi samosa, murgh makhani (butter chicken) and saag paneer (spinach and cheese). Classes are mostly held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and are taught in English.
The price: B3,000 for four dishes with lunch. Minimum of six people.
Sukhumvit Soi 38, 02-713-6048-9. www.facebars.com